Social Support and Lived Experiences of Primiparous Women in Asikuma Odoben Brakwa District

ABSTRACT

Background: Motherhood is cherished and defines the identity of a woman in most African societies. However, new mothers have to adjust physically, socially, psychologically and even spiritually in their transition. Social support has been identified in a number of studies to help first-time mothers adjust in picking up their new maternal responsibilities. The main aim of this study was to explore first-time mothers’ lived experiences and their prenatal and postnatal support systems. Methodology: Twenty participants were purposively selected. Sixteen first-time mothers and four social support providers from three communities in Asikuma Odoben Brakwa District participated. Data were collected using in-depth interviews with the aid of a semi-structured interview guide over a period of three weeks. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Results from the data showed that, most unmarried mothers had unintended pregnancies. Mothers reported a lot of physical and psycho-social distress during pregnancy and after childbirth. Different kinds of social support were received by mothers: physical, informational, emotional and spiritual. Most of the young and unmarried mothers had less social support compared to the older and married mothers. Maternal mothers of primiparous women provided the most support. For most of the mothers, social support weakened with time. Conclusion: This study shows that childbirth is a defining point in women’s lives and it is coupled with physical, emotional and other live changing challenges. Social support served many purposes for the sample of first-time mothers as it helped them to recuperate from their birthing experience, gained maternal childcare self-efficacy and also gave them hope for the future. It is recommended that a state sponsored social security scheme be designed by the government for first-time mothers who have no or limited social support networks.